Photographing Jonny Hetherington with LED
Manfrotto asked me to write a new column this year using their recently developed LED lights and I decided to build a portfolio of rock and roll singer Jonny Hetherington from the band Art of Dying.
For the very first photoshoot, I had to create a “new media” profile picture of Jonny holding a sorry note. The band is releasing their new single called Sorry and at the same time, they are launching a campaign where their fans can upload their picture online holding their own sorry note. A way to make amends…
The picture had to look like an everyday snapshot. I’m not a portrait photographer and this is the first time I executed one with lights. In theory, I know how to light a portrait, but I have never really practiced until this image. We all know that theory and practice are two completely different beasts! I decided to use the Butterfly Lighting technique because of Jonny’s prominent chin and cheek bones to amplify these features. Also, because it is a fairly easy lighting technique to start with. I used two lights side by side coming down on Jonny’s face casting the little butterfly shadow under the nose and I also used a third light coming from below to light the sorry sign.
I used the LED lights on continuous flow. Because I use a manual Hasselblad with a digital Phase One back. The flash sync from the digital back must be connected to the camera body leaving no connection for the lights. I’m hoping there is a splitter I can buy to allow both to connect. (digital back and the lights)
If you feel like saying Sorry to someone, you can be part of the project by uploading your own profile photo holding a Sorry sign and sending it (or tagging it, or tweeting it…) to Art of Dying.
Gallery HERE
Ciao
Melissa
